Insulating-block for electric-light canopies.



PATENTED JULY 11, 1905.

I. I. PARKER. INSULATING BLOCK FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT GANOPIES.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 8, 1904.

UNTTED STATES Patented July 11, 1905.

ATENT Orrrcn.

ISAAC JOSEPH PARKER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,309, dated July 11, 1905.

Application filed November 8, 1904. Serial No- 231,874.

To all when"), ib may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC JosEPr-r PARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Boston, in the county of Suffolk and'State of l\ [assachusctts, have invented a new and Improved Insulating-Block for Electric-Light Canopies, of which the following is a specifi. cation.

This improvement relates to an improved block of non-conductive material, such as rubber or porcelain, for application to the rear edges of canopies of electroliers or combination-fixtures for the purpose of insulating a canopy from the ceiling, whereby electrical contact between the canopy and any portion of the ceiling or anything contained in the ceiling is prevented.

In practice it is intended that a plurality say three-of my improved blocks will be pressed over the upper or rear edge of a can opy at suitable distances apart, said blocks not only insulating the canopy from the ceiling, but holding it at a certain distance therefrom without, however, extending entirely along or around the rear edge of the canopy.

The blocks are equally applicable to canopies applied to brackets which extend from an upright wall, and which are often termed back plates.

The nature of the invention is fully described below, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a canopy such as is applied to electroliers or combinationfixtures extending downward from a ceiling with my invention in position thereon. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a canopy or back plate for a bracket with my invention applied. Fig. 4 is a view of one of the insulating-blocks removed. In Figs. 1 and 2 the rear or upper edge of the canopy is at right angles with the ceiling. In. Fig. 3 the rear edge is somewhat flaring.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The block, which may be made of rubber, porcelain, or any well-known insulating material, consists of a solid integral piece of in sulation, comprising the main portion a and I the two parallel straight jaws b and c, separated by a flat groove or slit (1 of even width throughout. The jaws are preferably made narrower toward their outer ends by beveling their edges at c. The main portion a is formed with two flat surfacesor faces 9 and h. The surface 9 is at right angles with the side of the main. portion a, from which the jaw 0 extends, and the said face 9 extends from the said side toward that side from which the jaw 7) extends, but not for the entire distance. The surface or face it is on a bevel with the inner edge of the surface 1 and connects said edge with the side from which the jaw 1) extends;

A plural itysay threeof these blocks are applied. to the rear edge of a canopy by pressing them over said edge in the manner illustrated. As the edge of the canopy is circular and as the groove or slit (Z is straight and flat and but little wider than the thickness of the wall of the canopy, the blocks are held veryfirmlyin position, as they tend to slightly straighten the edge of the canopy at the points where they are applied. These blocks are applied with the jaw c on the outside, so that the beveled face It is on the inside. Hence if the edge of the canopy is at right angles with the ceiling or wall, as in Fig. 1, the whole of the face g, being parallel with the wall or ceiling, is pressed against it; but if the rear edge of the canopy is flaring, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the beveled face It is substantially parallel with the wall or ceiling and is pressed against it. Thus in either case an entire face of the block is parallel with and flat against the wall or ceiling, and said wall or ceiling is not marred or dented. as the canopy is pressed toward it. The main portion a of the block is made sufficiently thick to hold the canopy at an appreciable distance from the wall or ceiling; but a small portion only of the rear edge of the canopy is embraced or clamped by the blocks, as said blocks are very small and as three of them. are usually sufficient for the purpose.

The length of the head may be varied to suit the conditions or to comply with the 10- cal laws.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The herein-described insulating-block for electric-light canopies and back plates, consisting of the main portion a, and the parallel flat jaws I) and 0 extending from said main portion and separated by the straight groove or slit (1, whereby the curved edge of the canopy or back plate may be held firmly between the straight jaws, said block being made of insulating material.

2. The herein-described insulating-block for electric-light canopies and back plates, consisting of the main portion a, and the flat parallel jaws b and 0 extending from said main portion and separated by the straight groove or slit (1, said main portion being formed with the flat face 9 at right angles with the side of the main portion and the face it on a bevel with the inner edge of the face g, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ISAAC JOSEPH PARKER.

Witnesses HENRY W. WILLIAMS, GEo. A. DWELLEY. 

